Barnes Intermediate School seventh-graders Devin Gough, Joseph Insalaco and Robert Avenoso, from left, show off their model of a transportation system during the Future City regional competition.
(Photo Courtesy of Barnes Intermediate School)

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. - GREAT KILLS - Can students do a better job of solving our nation's energy crisis than current world leaders?

That was the challenge posed to teams of seventh-graders from Barnes Intermediate School who participated in the 19th annual Future City Competition.

The competition celebrates the engineering field. There are three phases to the competition. First, students must use SIM City software to design a virtual city. The model must be successful in terms of a balanced budget, public safety and lack of pollution. The second phase is to write an abstract essay about their city's strong points, which leads to what makes each virtual city unique.

A research topic, which changes each year, is also completed. This year's topic was "Fuel Your Future: Imagine New Ways to Meet Our Energy Needs and Maintain a Healthy Planet." Students were asked to research an energy source that would generate electric power for their city, one that does not deplete natural resources and has limited impact on the environment.

Lastly, the students make a scale model of their city and present it to a panel of judges. Their three-dimensional, tabletop models must use recycled materials, and can cost no more than $100 to construct.

"On competition day, it is great to see the students incorporate all of the engineering concepts that they have learned from their mentors into their future city design," said competition coordinator Karen Armfield, a professional engineer.

Barnes Intermediate fielded five teams of students in the regional competition in Brooklyn last month. One of the teams took fifth place, while a second won an award for "best public transportation." First-place winners from the 37 regional competitions earn a berth in the national finals in Washington D.C., set to take place during National Engineers Week Feb. 19 to Feb. 25.

Seventh-graders Alex Turano, left, and Dominick Appel with their Future City model; they placed fifth in the competiton.
(Photo Courtesy of Barnes Intermediate School)

Students at the Great Kills school began working on their future city models in October, under the guidance of faculty moderator Raymond Cottrell, who teaches science and technology. Cottrell has been participating in the Future City competition for more than a decade, and says it's "remarkable" how it has taught his students not only engineering concepts, but also teamwork, school spirit, and a sense of accomplishment.

"This year each of my five teams had unique ideas on power," Cottrell explained.

One team placed their future city on the edge of a black hole in space and used the energy being absorbed as their power source, he said.

Another team used special sidewalks to absorb the kinetic energy of people walking to generate energy.

Others used a combination of wind, solar and nuclear energy.

Barnes students worked on their projects for more than 60 hours a week, in science and shop classes, after school, and during lunch periods. Some even worked late into the evening at home.

"They're all great kids and very enthusiastic," said Cottrell. "One student brings a friend on board, and he or she brings a friend, and before you know it, they're all involved," he said.

"It's just been a fun experience for my students," Cottrell said. He's already taking names from students who can't wait to participate next year.